Packers Back in Playoff Picture

All it took was an inspired 17-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday at Lambeau Field. With the victory, the Packers avoided falling below the .500 mark for the first time this season. And they also pulled themselves even in the NFC wild card race – seemingly their only viable avenue to the playoffs given NFC North-leading Minnesota’s 8-1 start – with the Eagles, Falcons and Giants also at 5-4.

“We knew 4-4, playing a very good team, it was an important time in our season to get back in this race,” Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. “I think a lot of people were thinking this was going to be the end of the road for us and going to be a turning point for the negative for us this season. But it was a big win for our team.”

Clay Matthews sacks Tony Romo

Players talked openly about just how imperative the win was for the Packers – cornerback Al Harris simply said, “We had to win this game” – after two straight defeats. The season is just past its midway point, but a loss would have left Green Bay with a whole cluster of teams to pass to get into postseason contention, with San Francisco – which comes to Lambeau on Sunday – Carolina and Chicago sitting at 4-5.

“We still know we’ve got a lot of work to do,” linebacker Nick Barnett said. “Minnesota’s winning games, and we’ve got to continue to win games. The long-term goal right now is to get to the playoffs, and the short-term goal is to play San Francisco. That’s the one we have to worry about more.”